Red Lobster adds $1 appetisers and late-night happy hour in October

Red Lobster has announced an October promotions programme led by $1 appetisers at participating US restaurants from Oct. 9–12 and a late-night happy hour beginning Oct. 12. The company’s Oct. 8, 2026 announcement also includes a new Endless Shrimp flavour and a Halloween children’s meal offer extending to participating Canadian restaurants.

The programme combines short-duration food discounts with an additional weekday happy-hour window, while most offers are restricted to dining in. For operators, the terms distinguish between restaurant and online orders, with location-specific restrictions on drinks and separate redemption limits for the Halloween promotion.

Andy Pitts, Red Lobster’s chief marketing officer, said the programme was intended to give customers more reasons to choose the chain for gatherings. He described its focus as offering greater value and choice alongside the food and hospitality customers expect.

Discounted starters and later happy hour

During Oct. 9–12, dine-in customers can buy an individually sized appetiser for $1 with an entrée. The choices are Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp Cocktail and Mozzarella Cheesesticks.

The portions comprise 3 coconut shrimp with piña colada sauce, 4 jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, or 4 mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. The offer is limited to one discounted appetiser per entrée and cannot be combined with other discounts, offers or Red Lobster Nation rewards.

From Oct. 12, participating restaurants will run Late Night Happy Hour from 9 p.m. until closing, Monday through Friday, alongside the existing 3–6 p.m. weekday session. The company said the evening offer includes $6 signature cocktails, wine and beer, plus $2 off selected starters.

Featured drinks include Long Island Iced Tea and Classic Margarita, while selected starters include Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms, Lobster Flatbread, Crab Queso and Lobster Dip. A seasonal Fire & Tide Margarita, made with Cuervo Tradicional Blanco Tequila and Fireball Whisky, will also cost $6 during happy hour for a limited time, with a Make It Mega option costing an additional $3.

Happy-hour offers apply only to dine-in orders and cannot be combined with other offers or coupons. Beverage availability is subject to location restrictions, and the advertised prices exclude applicable taxes and gratuity.

OLD BAY flavour joins Endless Shrimp

OLD BAY Seasoned Scampi will join the US Endless Shrimp selection on Oct. 12. The limited-time promotion costs $24.99 at most participating locations and allows customers to mix and match six shrimp flavours, accompanied by one side and Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

The remaining choices are Garlic Bread-Crusted Shrimp, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp and Walt’s Favorite Shrimp. Red Lobster said prices and participation may vary, flavours depend on availability, and the dine-in promotion excludes holidays, takeaway, catering and delivery.

Halloween offer separates dine-in and online orders

The final scheduled promotion runs from Oct. 30–Nov. 1 at participating restaurants in the US and Canada. For dine-in customers, a full-price adult dinner entrée qualifies for up to two free children’s meals when the children wear costumes, subject to a limit of 2 free meals per table.

Online To Go orders qualify for one free children’s meal with a full-price adult dinner entrée using code SPOOKY26. The maximum discount is $9.99 per free meal; third-party delivery and catering orders are excluded, and the offer cannot be combined with other promotions or rewards.

Restaurant staff will determine whether costumes qualify for the dine-in offer. Red Lobster directed customers to its website for participating locations, menus and restaurant hours.